A lighter Lankster scales the ladder as a pro prospect
Drew Rubenstein
MOBILE, Ala., Jan 21, 2009 (The Dominion Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
At this time a year ago, Ellis Lankster wasn't thought of as much of an NFL prospect. He readily admits as much.
Little by little, things began to change, starting around this time a year ago.
Now, by no means does the former WVU defensive back think he's developed into an early round draftee, but he knows he gets the sense he's catching more teams' eyes with each passing day.
He estimates he's spoken to 10 teams since arriving in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, including the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
"He really came into his own his senior year as a cover corner," Senior Bowl president and CEO Steve Hale said. "I think he has a lot of upside. He's a guy who has a lot to gain this week. Ellis was a guy who just started jumping off the tape at you. Game after game, he was making big plays and, as the season progressed, he emerged as a legitimate cover corner for the NFL.
"If you're a man[-to-man] coverage team, then you probably will have a lot more interest in Ellis."
NFL scouts admit this could be a big week for Lankster to move up the boards, and he's not taking that lightly. Lankster received a number of praises for pass coverage from both the Jacksonville Jaguars coaches and former teammate Patrick White during the South team's practice Tuesday, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
"Most NFL teams want to see me run the 40 because they already know I can play corner," Lankster said.
He's aiming for a 40-yard dash time in the 4.3-4.4 range at next month's NFL scouting combine.
If he can do that, "my draft status is going to go up," Lankster said with a smile.
Lankster dates his transformation to this past spring, when new cornerbacks coach David Lockwood demanded he lose 20 pounds. At the same time, his work ethic improved.
He weighed 205 at one time, and Lankster arrived in Mobile at 191.
"It helped me move my feet better and move right to left," Lankster said.
Lankster said Lockwood taught him certain skills and emphasized certain movements he hadn't used before. He's noticed the importance of his coaching since training in Orlando, Fla., before arriving in Mobile.
"He taught me how to jam and move my feet. He taught me how to backpedal," Lankster said. "It's basically the same thing here."
Day 2 better for White
Moments after finishing his second official Senior Bowl practice, former WVU quarterback Patrick White was approached by a Chicago Bears coach.
"Much better today," he said to White, who responded with a smile and nod.
White had a number of throws land short on the first day, but after throwing an interception his first pass against a defense, White came back with a number of impressive passes, including a deep route down the sidelines.
"Under center is what I have to work on," White said. "The first one of the day was a pick, so that didn't look too good. Other than that, I think I had a pretty good day."
"He got here the first day and you could see the athlete, but he had some troubles," Jaguars and South team head coach Jack Del Rio added. "I thought he played well today. He made some plays today and he moved forward."
No problem, Pat
The 104 players who will play in Saturday's Senior Bowl have little free time. While practice goes for just two hours each day, the players are meeting with NFL coaches and scouts and filling out all sorts of questionnaires late into the night.
How players treat teammates, coaches, scouts and hotel personnel is being examined by NFL teams, and those aspects are almost as important as a player's performance on the field this week.
"You interview and there's testtaking, if that's what you want to call it," White said with a smile. "I try to stay hidden, but it's a good thing to get out and let them see who are and what type of person you are. I've been doing a little bit of that."
White's never been one to dwell on his best collegiate performances or most memorable games, and not much has changed in the forms.
Upon turning in a questionnaire to the Green Bay Packers, White said he had a hard time filling in the best game/worst game portion.
"No problem," the scout said back. "You had a lot of great ones."
Those in the crowd
Among those in attendance at the South team's practice Tuesday were former Syracuse head coach and newly hired Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Robinson, former Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom and Miami Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells and Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who walked in and sat together.